After months of construction and repairs to Watt Street, the road still remains incomplete.
According to a statement issued by the Newcastle Municipality Communications Department, the project was initially scheduled for four months.
“It was then extended twice, to eight months, due to unforeseen circumstances,” said the municipality.
An initial budget of more than R3.5-million was allocated for the completion of Watt Street.
The municipality later approved an additional R466 791 for the extension of a 120 metre concrete side drain.
In his budget speech and State of the Town address earlier this year, Mayor Makhosini Nkosi confirmed the allocation of R3.6-million to Watt Street.
He stated the surfacing was 95 per cent complete and delays were caused by the sewerage pipe.
The municipality anticipated the project would be complete by the end of February, as the contractor was paid in January.
Due to inclement weather and the unavailability of asphalt in the local market, the construction ground to a halt.
“There was no valid reason why the project was not complete, hence the municipality issued the contractor with a notice of intention to terminate the contract due to non-performance.”
Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Newcastle Advertiser.
